FITTING FAREWELL FOR REVOLUTIONARY LEKOTA

The funeral of the late struggle stalwart, Mosioua ‘Terror” Lekota. Picture: Baagedi Setlhora.

A Final Salute to the Stalwart Who Championed National Unity Beyond Party Lines

The mortal remains of anti-apartheid revolutionary, Mosiuoa Patrick “Terror” Lekota, were laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 14 March 2026.

The liberation hero was honored with a Category Two official funeral following his passing at age 77 after a prolonged illness.

Lekota was remembered for his fierce struggle against injustice and his unwavering commitment to racial unity after the dismantling of apartheid.

Family, friends, and fellow patriots gathered to speak highly of his lifelong dedication to serving the South African people.

His political journey began in the 1970s at the University of the North, where he joined the South African Student Organization (SASO). Driven by a passion to restore human dignity, he sought to build a country where all citizens could coexist peacefully.

In 1974, Lekota was arrested under the Terrorism Act after organising rallies to celebrate Mozambique’s independence.

He subsequently spent eight years on Robben Island as a political prisoner alongside icons such as Nelson Mandela.

Tshehla Lekota, speaking on behlaf of the family, noted that despite his high-profile roles, he remained humble at home.

“He was the Premier, he was the Chairperson of the NCOP, Minister of Defence, President of COPE, and many other organisations,” he said.

"Despite all that, he never showed or demonstrated even the smallest thing that he was that high person; he was just Mosiuoa,” Tshehla added.

Former Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, described Lekota as a man with a giant heart who transcended political boundaries.

“We gather here to take leave of the giant-hearted Lekota,” Manuel stated in his tribute.

“The colors of many political organisations are represented here because, in many respects, Lekota was bigger than any political organisation.”

Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae remarked that Lekota belonged to a generation that confronted daily injustice as a lived reality.

She emphasised that, like many of his peers, he paid dearly for his unwavering commitment to freedom.

ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, praised the stalwart as a patriot who understood that a nation’s destiny is shaped through sacrifice.

“He was among those who carried the dream of freedom through prison cells and relentless political struggle," Mbalula noted.

Delivering the eulogy, Deputy President of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, said Lekota’s vision proved that a nation’s strength lies in reconciliation and harmony.

“He reminded us that democracy is not a gift, but a responsibility,” Mashatile asserted.

After a long career in the ANC, he founded the Congress of the People (COPE) in 2008, serving as its president until his passing.

Lekota’s legacy includes serving as a founding member of the United Democratic Front and the first Premier of the Free State.